Hello and welcome, fellow traveler! So you're looking to boost your Marriott Bonvoy points balance? You've come to the right place. Earning points isn't just about booking hotel stays; it's about a strategic approach that can turn your everyday spending into future free nights and amazing experiences. This guide will walk you through all the best ways to earn more Marriott points, from the obvious to the lesser-known methods. Let's get started on accumulating points for your next great adventure! ✈️
Step 1: Maximize Your Hotel Stays
The most direct way to earn Marriott Bonvoy points is by staying at participating hotels. But are you maximizing every dollar you spend?
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| How Can I Get More Marriott Points |
Understanding Base Points and Elite Status Bonuses
As a Marriott Bonvoy member, you'll earn a baseline of 10 points per U.S. dollar spent on eligible hotel purchases at most brands. However, some extended-stay brands like Residence Inn and TownePlace Suites have a lower earning rate of 5 points per dollar.
The real magic happens when you achieve elite status. The higher your status, the more bonus points you'll earn on top of your base points.
Silver Elite (10 nights/year): 10% bonus points
Gold Elite (25 nights/year): 25% bonus points
Platinum Elite (50 nights/year): 50% bonus points
Titanium Elite (75 nights/year): 75% bonus points
Ambassador Elite (100 nights/year + $20,000 in qualifying spend): 75% bonus points
Pro-Tip: Always book directly through Marriott's website or app to ensure you earn your full points and elite night credits. Bookings made through third-party sites like Expedia or Orbitz are ineligible for these benefits.
Earn Points on All Eligible Hotel Charges
It's not just about the room rate! Be sure to charge all eligible expenses to your room, such as dining at the hotel restaurant, spa treatments, or other on-site amenities. You'll earn points on the entire bill, helping you rack up points even faster.
Step 2: Use Co-Branded Credit Cards to Supercharge Your Earning
This is arguably the single fastest way to earn a massive number of Marriott points, especially if you're a frequent traveler.
Welcome Bonuses
Marriott offers a range of co-branded credit cards issued by partners like American Express and Chase. The initial welcome bonus for these cards can be tens of thousands of points, providing an immediate and significant boost to your balance.
QuickTip: Repetition signals what matters most.
Accelerated Earning on Marriott Purchases
These cards offer high earning rates on all your Marriott spending. For example, a Marriott Bonvoy credit card might offer 6X points per dollar on eligible hotel purchases. When you combine this with the 10 base points you get as a member and an elite status bonus, your total earnings can skyrocket. For example, a Platinum Elite member with a co-branded card could earn up to 21 points per dollar on a stay!
Earning on Everyday Spending
Marriott Bonvoy credit cards also offer bonus points on everyday purchases, such as dining at restaurants, gas, or groceries, turning your daily life into a points-earning machine. This is a crucial strategy for earning points when you're not traveling.
Step 3: Link Your Accounts and Leverage Partnerships
Marriott Bonvoy has partnered with several companies to give you even more opportunities to earn points. Take advantage of these to earn points without staying at a hotel.
Eat Around Town Program
This is a dining rewards program that allows you to earn points at thousands of participating restaurants across the U.S. and Canada. Simply link a credit card to your account, and you'll automatically earn points when you dine at a partner restaurant.
Rideshares and Food Delivery
Marriott has a partnership with Uber that allows you to earn points on qualifying rides and Uber Eats orders. Just link your Bonvoy and Uber accounts, and you'll be earning points on your daily commute or next takeout order.
Car Rentals and Cruises
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Did you know you can earn Marriott Bonvoy points on car rentals? By booking a rental car through partners like Hertz and providing your Marriott Bonvoy number, you can earn points on your reservation. Similarly, you can earn points by booking a cruise through the "Cruise with Points" program.
Step 4: Actively Seek Out Promotions and Bonus Opportunities
Marriott regularly runs promotions that offer a great way to boost your points.
Promotional Offers
Keep an eye out for special promotions on the Marriott Bonvoy website. These can include offers like bonus points for every stay, a fixed number of bonus points for booking a specific number of nights, or even targeted offers for elite members. Be sure to register for these promotions as soon as they're announced!
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Refer-a-Friend Program
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you can earn a generous bonus of thousands of points for each friend or family member you refer who gets approved for the card. There's often a limit on how many referrals you can make per year, but it's an easy way to earn a big chunk of points.
Step 5: Consider Other Creative Ways to Earn
Beyond the main strategies, there are a few other ways to earn points that might be useful depending on your situation.
Hosting Events and Meetings
If you're planning a wedding, corporate meeting, or a large event, consider booking it at a Marriott property. You can earn points on the room rentals, catering, and other services. This can be a huge point-earning opportunity for a single event.
QuickTip: Keep a notepad handy.
Buying Points
Sometimes you just need a few thousand more points to book a dream stay. Marriott allows you to purchase points directly, often with promotions that offer a discount or a bonus. While this isn't the cheapest way to acquire points, it can be a great option for topping off your account.
Transferring Points from Other Programs
If you have a travel rewards card from a major bank, you may be able to transfer points to your Marriott Bonvoy account. For example, both Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards allow you to transfer points to Marriott Bonvoy, often at a 1:1 ratio. This is a fantastic way to diversify your point-earning strategy and ensure you have points when you need them.
FAQ: How to Get More Marriott Points
How to Earn Points for Staying at a Marriott Hotel?
You earn points by booking directly with Marriott and providing your Bonvoy membership number. The base rate is 10 points per dollar spent on eligible purchases at most brands, with bonus points added for elite members.
How to Get Points from a Marriott Credit Card?
You get points by applying for a co-branded Marriott credit card and earning a welcome bonus after meeting the spending requirements. You'll also earn a high number of points for every dollar spent at Marriott hotels and bonus points on everyday spending categories.
How to Transfer Points from Other Programs?
You can transfer points from partner programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards to your Marriott Bonvoy account. Log in to your credit card's rewards portal and follow the instructions to initiate a transfer.
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How to Get Points from the Eat Around Town Program?
First, you need to link your credit card to your Marriott Bonvoy account through the Eat Around Town website. You'll then automatically earn points whenever you use that linked card at a participating restaurant.
How to Get Points for Booking a Car Rental?
You can earn points by booking a car through a Marriott partner like Hertz. Be sure to provide your Marriott Bonvoy membership number during the reservation process to get the points credited to your account.
How to Get Bonus Points from Promotions?
You can get bonus points by registering for special promotions on the Marriott Bonvoy website. Keep an eye on your email for announcements about new promotions, which often offer bonus points for specific stays or activities.
How to Earn Points on Uber Rides and Uber Eats?
Link your Marriott Bonvoy and Uber accounts to earn points on qualifying rides and food delivery orders. The number of points you earn depends on your Bonvoy elite status and the type of ride or order.
How to Get Points for Hosting a Meeting or Event?
Book an eligible meeting or event at a Marriott property and you can earn points on the room rentals, catering, and other services. Contact the hotel's event planning team for details on how to earn points.
How to Buy Marriott Points?
You can purchase points directly through the Marriott website. Marriott often runs promotions that offer a discount or a bonus on point purchases, making it a more economical option.
How to Get Points by Referring a Friend?
If you have a Marriott Bonvoy credit card, you can refer friends or family members to get their own card. If they are approved, you'll receive a bonus of thousands of points for the referral.
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